SM targets Visayas event market with new arena

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is staking its claim on Cebu’s entertainment market with the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, a 25,000-seat venue set to open in June. 

In a Tuesday stock exchange filing, the company said the arena will bring concerts, sports, and corporate events closer to residents — cutting out the need for trips to Manila.

SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said the project positions Cebu as a destination for international events, domestic tourism, and long-term investment. 

The arena, part of SM Prime’s South Coast City estate, spans 1.6 hectares on the ground with a total of 7.4 hectares of floor space. 

It will feature VIP lounges, corporate suites, professional-grade entertainment systems, multi-level spectator areas, and a SkyBridge linking it to SMX Convention Center Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu, ensuring smooth visitor circulation.

Pre-opening talks with promoters and event organizers indicate a strong demand pipeline. 

The company draws on its experience running Manila’s SM Mall of Asia Arena, which hosts NBA Global Games, FIBA tournaments, and concerts by major international artists like BLACKPINK, BTS, and Taylor Swift.